Meira appeals to the “inner voice”

SHILLONG, JULY 5: Opposition Congress presidential candidate, Meira Kumar today believed that “inner voice of conscience” would help her sail through in the upcoming battle of ideology, despite heavy odds stacked against her candidature.

“I have appealed to the members of the collegiums to listen to their inner voice. The inner voice of conscience which carries more weight than numbers when people decide on moral ground and on grounds of principles and ethics and philosophy, the numbers will start supporting,” Meira said.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker was addressing the collegiums of the state led by chief minister Mukul Sangma as part of her campaign tour to the North East states. The campaign was also attended by Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy and his team from the United Democratic Party (UDP).

She was accompanied by Congress senior leader and former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge North East CP Joshi.

Stating that it is for the first time that the presidential election has been turned into a “battle of ideology”, Meira said, “The need (to contest against the NDA presidential nominee) has arisen because the atmosphere in the country has begun to threaten the secular fabric of the country.”

“It has challenged and is exceedingly putting in danger the communal harmony, social justice, inclusiveness, transparency and all that we have been standing for and held dear,” she said.

The Former Lok Sabha Speaker said, “This is the chance we have to make history and act in the best interest of our country for its progress and modernity and also for our next generation.”

According to her, India is a vast country with so many religions, ethnic groups, cultures – this is the beauty of our country that yet we are able to live in harmony – and it is for those in power to always promote this harmony and not to disrupt it.

Stating that in view of this a unique development in the political life of the country has taken place, she said that is why 17 opposition political parties with differences on other issues but got together on this particular issue by contesting against the NDA nominee Ram Nath Govind in the July 17 presidential elections.

“I thanked them for choosing me as a candidate and for placing their trust on me,” she said.

Pointing out that there is a definite move in the country to communalize in the name of what food one should eat, what one should see, how one should live and conduct, Kumar slammed the ruling NDA Government and its for lack of actions on the ground although leaders have distanced themselves.

“Although the leaders like to distance themselves but I fail to understand how the tremendous majority in the Parliament and given their hold in the Government, they are only talking and trying to distance themselves but no action is seen on the ground,” she said.

Expressing confidence after covering the coastal states, she claimed, “Everywhere I go I find lots of positivity as public are approving and endorsing the stands we are taking.”

Thanking the Leader of Opposition for his presence, she said, “It is encouraging to find the Leader of Opposition with us. I am grateful the House is with us. People are with us and with our ideology that we are following.”

Meanwhile, opposition Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) having 4 MLAs and National People’s Party (NPP), which an NDA ally at the centre, having 2 members, did not attend Kumar’s campaign.

Out of 2 members, Congress coalition partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sanbor Shullai also skipped the campaign.

Later in the afternoon, Meira left for campaign in Guwahati to also seek the support of members of different political parties.

The term of the incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee will end on July 24, and the election for the next President is scheduled to take place on July 17 and counting of votes on July 20.